McGee announces candidacy for re-electionCarolyn McGee announces her candidacy for re-election for the position of mayor of the city of Dardanelle in the general election Nov. 4. She expresses appreciation for the support that you have given her and asks for your vote in the upcoming election. McGee said she looks forward to continuing the work that has been planned and approved by the city council. “I am grateful for the public trust placed in me and proud to serve the citizens of D...

PCLS honors deceased staffer through dedicatory bookThe Russellville branch of the Pope County Library System plans to honor long-time staffer Earlene Peak, the library system’s first assistant director, who died Aug. 13. PCLS Director Shawn Pierce told the board of trustees during its regular meeting Wednesday the library would dedicate a book in Peak’s honor from the staff. The board approved promoting Kevin Massey from assistant branch manager to branch manager of the Russellville Library ef...

News Briefs (Aug. 24, 2014)Arkansas Citizens Against Clean Line Energy meeting The Arkansas Citizens Against Clean Line Energy will conduct a meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the student services building on the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark campus. Anyone interested in carpooling or doing a caravan may visit: www.facebook.com/groups/blockcleanlinepope/. Bow Jam at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge and The Friends of Holla Bend wil...

Dardanelle renews educational program grantDARDANELLE — The Dardanelle School District (DSD) is one of 21 schools in Arkansas to receive a grant to continue a before-and-after-school program. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announced Thursday DSD is one of several schools statewide to receive $660,000 in 21st Century Community Learning Grants, which will pay for tutoring, homework assistance and other activities. Instructional Supervisor Jamie Burris said the school has rece...

Atkins Catholic church celebrates 135 yearsATKINS — One hundred thirty-five years ago, German immigrants gathered in celebration of their newly-formed church — now known as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Located at 118 Ave. Three NE in Atkins, descendants of those founders gathered to celebrate its history in the Catholic church’s 111-year-old building along the railroad tracks. More than 175 people attended the church’s 135-year celebration on Friday, which...

Boys and Girls Club celebrates with KleineIt was a nearly 7-foot tall Olympian and NBA Champion who gave a standing ovation Thursday night at the Russellville Boys and Girls Club. Joe Kleine stood with club sponsors in recognition of two individuals and one business that made a significant impact on the club in the past year during the annual Standing Ovations banquet. Founder Dan Nicholson presented Mariah Ellis, James Biggers and Tyson Foods with the Golden Triangle Awards and also ...

Pottsville adds $35,000 for high school lotPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Board of Education approved the addition of $35,121 for the high school parking lot project during its regular meeting Thursday. When the scheduled resurfacing of the high school parking lot began, Superintendent Larry Dugger said, there was more to be done than originally thought. The board unanimously approved the change order. The district will purchase 20 laptops from CDW-G for $14,715, which the board approved....

Commission finalizes election plansThe Pope County Election Commission approved Wednesday ordering 17,485 paper ballots in addition to absentee ballots for the Nov. 4 general election. "As usual, there will be the option of touch-screen voting," Election Coordinator Sherry Polsgrove said after the meeting. The commission approved conducting poll-worker training, to include practicing on the tablets, Sept. 22-23. Polsgrove confirmed the logic and accuracy (L&A) testing was compl...

Russellville employees focus on safety, wellness Tracey Cline-Pew, the city of Russellville’s human resources and safety coordinator, told the City Council during its regular meeting Thursday that she is focused on providing city officials and employees with a safer and more physically fit environment. During her departmental report to aldermen, Cline-Pew explained the city received a “very good report” following a recent safety review. She said she plans to continue to develop a culture of ...

Commission gives $50,000 for Hickey renovationsThe Russellville Advertising and Promotions (A&P) Commission voted to provide $50,000 for the Hickey Park baseball and softball field renovation project during its regular meeting Thursday. Russellville School District (RSD) Athletic Director Johnny Johnson requested a grant from A&P during its last meeting to help fund four new dugouts at the high school baseball and softball fields at Hickey Park. "What we want to do for the home dugouts is ...

Public hearing Monday for new restaurantCity Planner David Harris said a public hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at Russellville City Hall regarding the exterior design of the incoming Steak 'n Shake restaurant. Steak 'n Shake is expected to ask for relief from current city zoning codes. The new restaurant will be located on North Sydney Avenue in the lot adjacent to Buffalo Wild Wings, which is at 2212 E. Parkway Drive. City zoning code for commercial building states, "The...

City Council sticks to dilapidated structure procedure The Russellville City Council voted 5-1 during its regular meeting Thursday to require the owner of an unoccupied dilapidated structure at 1722/1724 S. Arkansas Ave. to enter into a rehabilitation agreement. Alderman Martin Irwin cast the only vote against the motion. Aldermen Garland Steuber, Randy Horton, Richard Harris, Mark Tripp and Spence Roberts voted in favor. Alderwoman Freddie Harris served as acting mayor for Mayor Bill Eaton, who w...

Wiley returns as aldermanThe Russellville City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Robert Wiley to fill the vacant Ward 3, Position 1 seat during its regular meeting Thursday at City Hall. Alderman Garland Steuber told the council since Wiley was the only person to file for the position during the recent filing period, he should be appointed to the seat. Steuber also recommended Wiley “hunt up a judge” early this morning to swear him in as alderman. He wil...

Russellville School Board considers elementary expansionThe Russellville Board of Education discussed elementary expansion during a Building and Grounds Committee meeting on Tuesday. Board member Morgan Barrett said Sequoyah Elementary seemed crowded during an open house event this past week and asked how many students were enrolled at the school. Superintendent Randall Williams informed the board Sequoyah counted 498 students on Please see education | 2A the first day of class, nearly 20 students ...

Project expands to long-term programWhat began as a project to feed Russellville students during the summer has transformed into a community-wide service program. Summer Food 4 Kids began with the idea of picking up where the Russellville School District's (RSD) backpack program left off during summer break. President Kristin Foster said the original goal of the program was to provide nutritious meals to at least 80 students enrolled in RSD's Summer Enrichment courses. The progr...

13 contested races inside Yell, Johnson countiesThirteen contested races emerged in cities located within Yell and Johnson counties during the open filing period for the Independent municipal candidates. Yell County In Dardanelle, incumbent Carolyn McGee will face Tony Lamb for mayor. Two seats on the Dardanelle City Council are contested — incumbent Bruce D. McConnell and Kurt Spears will vie for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat, while Kenneth Duvall will challenge incumbent Linda Thompson for ...

PCLS honors deceased stafferThe Russellville branch of the Pope County Library System plans to honor long-time staffer Earlene Peak, the library system's first assistant director, who died Aug. 13. PCLS Director Shawn Pierce told the board of trustees during its regular meeting Wednesday the library would dedicate a book in Peak's honor from the staff. The board approved promoting Kevin Massey from assistant branch manager to branch manager of the Russellville Library ef...